Bode Floors | Floor Care Blog

Choosing a carpet flooring type is a decision homeowners shouldn’t take lightly, as the right carpet can have a big impact on a room’s visual appeal, function, and comfort. But with so many varieties and styles available, it’s sometimes challenging to narrow down the search. Here’s a look at some of the basics of the most common varieties of carpet flooring fibers.

Nylon

In the world of carpet flooring, there’s no beating nylon when it comes to versatility and durability. Nylon’s color flexibility, easy maintenance, and powerful resistance to wear, mildew, rot, and other types of damage make it the most popular carpet fiber type on the market. It’s also static free, stain resistant, and often exceptionally soft. Nylon carpeting comes in a variety of colors, heights, textures, and styles, and it can last for many years.

Acrylic

Although it’s an artificial carpet fiber, acrylic is sometimes referred to as man-made wool because of its soft, warm, wool-like texture. Like nylon, acrylic is static resistant, available in a variety of colors and styles, and it doesn’t easily mildew, fade, or become crushed under heavier furniture. Because it’s so soft, however, acrylic is best reserved for low-traffic rooms where its luxurious feel can be maintained.

Olefin

Olefin, or polypropylene, carpeting is second only to nylon in popularity, especially in commercial installations. That’s due to its ability to maintain color and resist wear and mildew. Olefin is also very easy to maintain and tough against foot traffic, making it an ideal carpet fiber for rooms that see a lot of use. It’s also one of the most affordable carpet fiber varieties, which, when combined with its appearance and performance, makes it a great option for homeowners on a budget.

Wool

Wool is a strong, all-natural carpet fiber option that adds extra comfort and luxury to a room. It’s soft and exceptionally dense, and it also maintains its height and resists crushing very well. Additionally, unlike artificial carpeting, the fibers in wool are opaque, which means that it hides dirt and other debris easily.

Bode Floors offers Columbia-area residents a large variety of carpet flooring, as well as hardwood, tile and stone, and other flooring products. To request a free quote or schedule an appointment, contact us online or call (410) 381-5900.

Hardwood floors are highly sought after by homeowners for their attractive appearance, long life, and ease of cleaning. But that lustrous sheen requires some care, so it’s important to keep these rules of thumb in mind when caring for hardwood floors.

Take It Easy

Despite their durability, hardwood floors need to be treated gently; high heels and claws can easily dent and scratch the surface. Heels should be left at the door, while pets should have their nails trimmed regularly. Outdoor pets pose another risk to wood floors, as they frequently track in dirt, dust, and other debris that can damage the finish; doormats outside every entrance can lessen this problem. Furniture can also scratch the finish, so attaching felt pads to the bottom of furniture legs is a must.

Keep Your Cool

Humidity can wreak havoc on hardwood floors, as changes in heat and moisture can damage the wood. To offset the risk, the thermostat should be set between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit year-round, with humidity levels between 30 and 50%. Small fluctuations in heat and humidity won’t pose a significant risk, but extreme temperature changes and prolonged excessive humidity are a wood floor’s worst nightmare.

Establish a Cleaning Routine

Tiny particles, dust, and debris can scratch the floor and dull the sheen. Ideally, floors should be dusted with a microfiber cloth daily—or as often as possible. Microfiber traps more dirt and dust particles than a broom, and it’s safer on the floor’s surface. Floors should also be cleaned weekly with a microfiber mop and pH-neutral cleaner without additives like acrylic wax, which can create a buildup on the floor’s surface. It’s a good idea to check the manufacturer’s recommendations or floor care instructions when choosing a cleaning product. Depending on the surface finish, the floor may need to be polished every few months.

The Importance of Proper Maintenance

Wood floors can last a lifetime or longer with proper maintenance. The best way to prolong the life of your wood floors is to have them refinished occasionally. It’s impossible to completely avoid wear and tear from pets, foot traffic, and spills, but a professional may be able to resand and refinish the floor to restore the original shine. Homeowners should contact a professional or refer to the manufacturer’s instructions for specific maintenance details.

Shopping for New Hardwood?

Whether you’d like to install new hardwood floors or have your existing ones polished, Bode Floors is your source for flooring products in Maryland, Virginia, and D.C. We’ll help you select a floor that’s right for your family and connect you with financing to help you beautify your home. Call Bode Floors today at (410) 381-5900 to request a free quote.

So you’re ready to choose new flooring for your home, what will you go with? One of the hottest trends on the market today is Luxury Vinyl Flooring or LVT for short. When deciding if LVT is right for your home, you’ll find that there are tons of options that you can choose from. This blog post will give you an idea of what to expect and make it much easier to find the best LVT flooring that will fit all your needs.

What Is Luxury Vinyl Flooring?

LVT flooring is a lot like regular vinyl tile, they both have a wear layer, an image layer, a resilient core and backing. However, LVT is generally thicker and offers a greater level or durability and design realism. Many of the Luxury Vinyl Flooring styles that we carry are waterproof, so they won’t swell when exposed to water.

Where Can I Install Luxury Vinyl Flooring?

While LVT is not meant for stairs, it can go on any and all flat level surfaces. Our luxury vinyl flooring’s wonderful combination of design options, easy installation and good value make LVT a flooring favorite for gathering spaces and utility areas such as kitchens, mudrooms, bathrooms, and playrooms.

What styles can I get with LVT flooring?

The beauty of luxury vinyl tile is how versatile it is. It’s truly possible to achieve a look that mimics hardwood or natural stone, but with the performance you’re seeking from a vinyl floor. Great care is taken during the design process to create visuals and textures that mimic the real thing.

Here are some of the looks you’ll be able to choose from at Bode Floors:

Contact Bode Floors today!

If you’re ready to explore what LVT flooring can do for your home, stop into one of our convenient locations today. Get one of the hottest new flooring trends for your home today. Click here to find the location nearest you.

Know what factors to consider as you make your flooring choice.

You’ve done it – you’ve finally made the decision to invest in new flooring for your home. You’re at the start of an exciting process that will end with your home having a beautiful new look and feel. Of course, to get to that point, you have many decisions to make, starting with what floors to (more…)

Luxury vinyl flooring has so much to offer to any residential space and we’re here to tell you what that includes!

You have hardwood that’s elegant, carpeting that’s nice and soft, and laminate that’s easy to maintain; and then you have luxury vinyl floors that are the cream of the crop! These floors are advanced beyond their years as 3D imaging technology can replicate natural materials such as stone or wood, making it hard to tell it’s not even real!

Luxury vinyl flooring is just that- luxurious. If you want to give your guests a lasting impression on your home, consider adding this material to ensure perfection underfoot. Not only will this versatile type of floor look great in any room, it will look great for years to come, requiring little to no maintenance.(more…)